This past weekend’s State Tournament for Peewee AA youth hockey teamsfeatured plenty of drama and excitement at the Georgetti and Spartan Arenas in Rutland.

Barre’s under-13 team suffered a 6-1 loss to Essex in Saturday’s opener, with Tyler Murray scoring the lone goal for the Granite City squad. Rutland skated to a 5-3 victory overBarre in the following game, with Murray scoring two goals and teammate Parker Spaulding adding another.

Barre returned Sunday without a serious chance to advance in the tourney, but goals from Murray and Heath Atwood helped fuel a 2-0 victory over Middlebury. After hours spent waiting to find out which teams moved onto the semifinals, Barre wound up in third placeafter edging fourth-place Rutland by 0.5 points in the standings.

Barre’s players returned to the iceagainst Essex knowing it could be their last game and served up a 6-2 victory. Murray led the way with a hat trick,Taylor Coburn scored twice and Spaulding also found the back of the net. Barre also received a lot of offensive contributions from Jesse King and Daniel Ruel. Cam Gosselin, Owen Kresco and Miles Aja anchored the defense in front of tough goaltending by Kyle May.

Barre will travel to play CSBon March 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the championship game in Middlebury.